Chapped Hands
Alternate Names : Hand Eczema, Dermatitis
What can be done to prevent the condition?
People subject to chapped hands should limit the amount of soap they use and
the length of time their hands are exposed to the water. Some people may be able
to use mild, moisturizing soap on their hands. A few need to limit soap use to
the underarms and genitalia.
After patting the hands dry with a towel, the individual should apply a
moisturizer. Two types of moisturizers are available over-the-counter:
cosmetic moisturizers, which provide immediate relief of dry skin but last
only while they are applied to the skin. For people with mild or intermittent
chapped hands, a cosmetic moisturizer may be enough to keep the skin from
feeling dry.
therapeutic moisturizers, which have demonstrated the ability to act as a
barrier that keeps water from evaporating from the skin. Many therapeutic
moisturizers contain mineral oil or petroleum.
The healthcare provider may also prescribe creams containing alpha hydroxy
acids or urea to get rid of dead skin and minimize itching.
Following are other measures to help prevent chapped hands:
wearing protective gloves whenever possible
avoiding prolonged exposure to water, such as swimming
avoiding exposure to chemicals that irritate the skin
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
If chapped hands are left untreated, the person may have the following problems:
difficulty doing things without wearing protective gloves
recurrent skin conditions such as outbreaks of eczema or skin inflammation
infections, which may occur when bacteria enter cracks in the skin
What are the risks to others?
Chapped hands are not contagious and pose no risk to
others.
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